The Capital Hearings, a 14-member mixed vocal ensemble in the D.C. area, are proud to announce the 2014 (Inaugural) Young Composers Competition! We encourage composers age 40 or below to submit mixed a cappella works of two-to-five minutes in duration that align with our 2014 artistic theme, Seasons. A cash prize of $500 will be awarded. For full information, please visit http://www.thecapitalhearings.com/competition.shtml.

From formal concerts and embassy soirees to holiday caroling and flashmobs, the group's wide-ranging repertoire of classical choral favorites, vocal jazz, and contemporary arrangements has established it as Washington D.C.'s most versatile vocal ensemble.

D.C. A Cappella Group Announces Winner of North American Young Composers Competition Group to Give World Premiere Performance of “There will come Soft Rains” September 27th in Washington, D.C. July 31, 2014, Washington, D.C. – D.C.-based a cappella ensemble The Capital Hearings announced today it has selected Connor J. Koppin, 23, of Ames, Iowa, as the winner of its inaugural Young Composers Competition. The Capital Hearings will premiere Koppin’s winning composition, “There will come Soft Rains,” in Washington on September 27, 2014, during the group’s fourth annual fall concert, SEASONS.

The competition attracted entries from 22 states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces, and was open to U.S. and Canadian composers, ages 40 and under.

"I composed 'There will come Soft Rains' because I believe that this piece captures the essence of the natural world while seeking to remind us as humans what it would be like to live in a place free of violence or malice," Koppin explained. "I am very humbled to be chosen as the winner of The Capital Hearings' Young Composers Competition, and I cannot wait to hear the piece brought to life by this unique ensemble."

The work, written for men’s and women’s a cappella voices, features text written in the aftermath of World War I by American poet Sara Teasdale, and vividly describes how the earth revives itself in the wake of human conflicts.

Koppin is a 2013 graduate of Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, where he studied conducting with Lee Nelson. His choral works have been performed across the U.S., including the premiere of "i carry your heart" at Carnegie Hall in March 2013. Koppin’s music has been published by MorningStar Music Publishers and ECS Publishing. He is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Roland-Story High School in Story City, Iowa.

"Our inaugural competition reflects The Capital Hearings’ commitment to the creation and performance of new music,” notes Dileep Srihari, the group’s music director. “We were very gratified by the tremendous response and look forward to continuing our support of emerging composers in future years.”

The Capital Hearings will perform “There will come Soft Rains” during its fourth annual fall concert, SEASONS, at All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C. at 8:00 PM on September 27, 2014. The concert will highlight the group’s signature blend of classical, jazz, pop, folk, and more. Tickets are $12 in advance and are available at www.TheCapitalHearings.com.